The news of former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry dying in a car accident in Maharashtra’s Palghar district sent shockwaves through the country. The accident brought everyone’s attention to the safety of the transport system. Everyone from the car brand to the NHAI and police authorities were asked to investigate what happened.

But the factors that came into the limelight were equally shocking. The stretch near Charoti, where the car in which Cyrus Mistry was travelling met with an accident, has seen 26 deaths in 25 serious accidents since the start of this year, said a Maharashtra highway police official.

Such incidents throw light upon the factors wherein the transportation industry needs to be more vigilant and take all the precautions to avoid incidents and accidents. 

11 Observations from the Transportation Industry

The transportation industry has evolved thoroughly. The building of e-ways, flyovers, and other roadways has risen tremendously. But the progressive ways require additional safety scrutiny. So let us look at what incidents usually occur in the transportation industry and how to avoid them.

1. Accidents

Accidents can range anywhere from slippery ice to mistakes by the driver. They can be prevented only when their root cause is identified. Hence even a tiny slip or tire screeching must be notified and looked upon keenly.

2. Near-Miss Events

These account for the “accidents that could have happened.” Therefore if any event was noticed that could have led to greater misshappenings but was a “near-miss,” it should be addressed immediately. One example is if two vehicles could have collided in a blind curve, but both stopped at the right time. So one of the solutions is adding mirrors in blind spots.

3. Safety Reporting

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. So if every team member responsibly reports incidents and observes safety, many accidents can be avoided. The lack of safety reporting or being inconsiderate of the same can lead to disastrous results.

4. Weather and Climate Happenings

Nothing can go against mother nature, and mother nature’s mood is unpredictable. But thanks to the weather forecasting department, it makes us ready for unknown and sudden weather changes. Therefore, it is crucial to put up sign boards if the area generally has heavy rainfall, intense heat, or any extreme climatic conditions. This helps the driver to keep an advance check on their vehicles. Also, it is the driver’s responsibility to check the environmental conditions before and during the journey.

5. Non-Conformity Reports

Non-conformity reports or NCRs are essential for quality checks. These reports help to understand the loopholes in the system and answer the “W” questions so that the necessary work meets all the standards. These reports also determine the root analysis of the occurred problems to avoid future accidents.

6. Cargo Damages

There can be many reasons for the cargo to get damaged. It could be the weather, infestation, scratching, or damage during the journey. To avoid cargo-related damages, one must ensure that the cargo loaded adheres to all the rules according to the vehicle’s dimensions. The driver should also maintain proper driving consistency to protect the shipment.

7. Delivery Failures

The rise and rapid increase of e-commerce has dramatically impacted the transportation industry. But this also has created a transportation problem of failed, lost, or misrouted deliveries. Therefore, when a delivery problem arises, it must be solved immediately. The root cause of the situation should be tracked, and proper measures must be taken to avoid reoccurrences.

8. Vehicle Inspections

Vehicles carrying equipment must be double-checked, driven, and thoroughly scrutinized before they make their way for the highway. The slightest misbehavior of the vehicle can lead to damages that are sometimes irreparable.  

9. Claims and Insurances

The transportation industry should be insured in the best way. In the lack of insurance, the company can go into unrecoverable debts in case of accidents. The claim settlement clauses must be pre-defined in the contract to avoid clashes. An organization has to go that extra mile to keep its drivers, vehicles, and everyone who handles transportation in a safe zone. 

10. Innovation

Organizations should regularly look into innovations in the transportation sector. From fuel efficiency to improved vehicles, they must be updated with their transport. Also, the safety department should check about the innovations to amplify safety and avoid incidents, accidents, and injuries.

11. Digitalization

If you keep regular updates on innovation, you must know that digitalization is the need of the hour. Digitalization supports live tracking, immediate response to problems, quick help, and all the requirements to be safe and compliant. Lack of digitalization can mess up the transportation sector and make it more prone to confusion and accidents.

Final Thoughts

The transportation sector is the backbone of the economy. It has seen and will see exponential growth considerably. Therefore it becomes essential to address the problems and challenges seamlessly.